whole 30 and clean eating tips

January 4, 2016

Happy New Year, friends! I love the new year! I’m a huge planner and goal setter. I’m sure I drive my family crazy because I’m always asking them what their goals are and if they have written them down. January is one of my favorite months, not because of the weather, but because it is a clean slate and anything is possible.

This January, our family is doing the Whole 30. What is the Whole 30? It is similar to paleo, but for 30 days straight, eat meat, seafood, eggs, tons of vegetables, some fruit, and plenty of good fats from fruits, oils, nuts and seeds. Eat foods with very few ingredients. This is my 2nd Whole 30 and my family’s first. They weren’t excited, but now everyone is on board and we are having a great time.

As a avid clean eater, I wanted to share a few tips that may help you be successful.

Plan your meals. I know you’ve heard this quote many times, but “fail to plan, plan to fail.” Especially when you are eating clean, you must plan your meals. You don’t want to be starving and end up at the drive through trying to make healthy choices. Make a menu and get to the grocery store.

Create an atmosphere where you want to cook. When we put away our Christmas stuff, I left my counters clear. I wanted as much space as possible for me and my girls to prepare meals. I have plenty of cutting boards, sharp knives and lots of fresh ingredients to cook our meals. My dad and step mom bought me the most wonderful knives for my birthday. It has been so much fun preparing food with good knives! Sometimes I have so much decorations on my counters that I’m always moving things around. It has been nice allowing the kitchen to “breathe.”

3. Clean out your refrigerator and pantry. If it’s not there, you won’t eat it. Get rid of the junk!!! Make room for fresh fruit and vegetables.

4. Enlist your kids to help. This is a great time to teach your kids how to read labels. Kids can also be great helpers in the kitchen. Have them wash the fruits and vegetables. When my girls were younger, they would tear the lettuce for salads until they were old enough to use a knife. When you allow them to help in the kitchen, they are more likely to eat the new vegetables that are served.

5. You can do anything for 30 days. Make up your mind that you are ready for a change and DO IT! It’s only 30 days!!

6. Find a support group. Almost all of my close friends are doing this with me. I get lots of texts telling me to hold them accountable. If you need a support group, email me and I’ll add you to our facebook page.

7. Grace. It doesn’t matter where you are starting and if you have been eating bad for a month, 5 years or 10 years. Today is a new day! His mercies are new every morning. I often hear from people that are so angry at themselves because they have allowed themselves to put on weight or “let themselves go.” Okay, let it go. Make today different and do something new. Make a change. Give yourself grace and move forward.

8. Learn to try new things. Try new vegetables. Expand your taste. Learn to eat your food without ketchup. Learn to drink your coffee black. (I did that for the first time last week and I didn’t die!!) You can do it. It’s only for 30 days.

9. Keep things simple. Most of the time I eat the same thing for breakfast. It is absolutely delicious, so why do I need to change. When you eat clean, you just need meat and veggies. Your recipes shouldn’t be difficult. For lunch, I will cut up a chicken breast, onions and peppers and saute in coconut oil. I will top with an avocado and homemade salsa. It takes 15 minutes and it is amazing!! Be creative.

I will do my best to post my menu this week, but in the meantime my favorite things to have on hand: